As one of the four core areas of the Trang An World Heritage Complex, Hoa Lu Ancient Capital is a special destination imbued with national historical and cultural values. Today, Hoa Lu has a quiet look of time, but still full of majesty, reminiscent of a golden age.

History of Hoa Lu Ancient Capital
Hoa Lu ancient capital was the first capital of Dai Viet, existed within 42 years of the nation’s history. The ancient capital also witnessed the nation’s heroic cause of nation building and defense. Hoa Lu ancient capital used to be the capital of Dinh dynasty (968 – 980), Tien Le dynasty (980 – 1009) and early Ly dynasty (1009 – 1010).

Hoa Lu is surrounded by mountains and hills like a strong protective screen. Around there are the fields of Nho Quan and Gia Vien with wide wings of flying storks, along with the winding Hoang Long river. It is these advantages of terrain that have helped us overcome many invaders. Here, Dinh Bo Linh defeated 12 warlords in 968 to establish Dai Co Viet, taking Hoa Lu as the political center of the country.

After the establishment of the Tien Le Dynasty, Le Hoan still kept the ancient capital Hoa Lu as the center of the country. After King Ly Thai To ascended the throne, the king decided to move the capital to the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long. This was also the last dynasty to choose Hoa Lu as the capital of Dai Viet. Although there were no more kings here later, the typical architectural works such as temples and pagodas are still preserved to this day.

Hoa Lu ancient capital thousand years ago was a magnificent imperial capital. This used to be the place to develop the cause of nation building and defending the country of three dynasties, Dinh – Tien Le and the beginning of the Ly dynasty. Perhaps because of the surrounding mountainous terrain, the intertwined rivers and streams have become a solid natural wall, helping to protect the imperial capital against invaders.

Coming to the ancient capital, visitors will have the opportunity to admire two monuments of the temple of King Dinh Tien Hoang and King Le Dai Hanh, two iconic works bearing many imprints of traditional Vietnamese architecture.

The temple of King Le attracts visitors by the folk art of wood carving with lotus flowers, chrysanthemums, stylized dragons, etc. on the arrays of Husbandry. This is a typical carving style of the Late Le Dynasty, when the wood carving talent of Vietnamese artisans reached a level of virtuosity.

Temple of King Dinh was built according to the structure of “Noi Cong, foreign”, an architectural style often seen in many ancient Vietnamese works. The most prominent feature in King Dinh’s temple is the Long sieve at the Dragon yard, carved in monolithic green stone with sophisticated carvings. In addition, the temple of King Dinh is decorated with many dragons, clouds, fairies, flowers, etc. on wooden and stone pillars like a vivid picture showing the talent and ingenuity of the 17th century artisan.

The temple of King Le attracts visitors by the folk art of wood carving with lotus flowers, chrysanthemums, stylized dragons, etc. on the arrays of Husbandry. This is a typical carving style of the Late Le Dynasty, when the wood carving talent of Vietnamese artisans reached a level of virtuosity.

Temple of King Dinh Tien Hoang

The temple is located in the main hall of Hoa Lu capital with unique “foreign domestic and foreign” architecture. The total area of the temple is 3 acres of the North. In front, there is Ma Yen mountain, behind is Du mountain, surrounded and protected. The architecture of the temple is extremely impressive, including the Northern Gate, the Foreign Gate, the Internal Gate, the Khai Thanh house, the harem, the dragon yard, …

Temple of King Le Dai Hanh

Unlike the temple of King Dinh Tien Hoang, this temple has a Cong-shaped architecture. The work includes the front hall, burning incense and harem.

The frontage is the widest with 5 large rooms, with bold architecture of the Later Le Dynasty.
Burning incense is smaller with 2 vertical compartments, with a length of 2.8m, a width of 6.15m.
The harem consists of 5 compartments, with sets because they are made in the style of “common pillars with corners”. The two sides of the wall are made of silk puzzle boards, the middle room places the altars of the mandarins. The harem consists of 5 compartments, with statues worshiping King Le Dai Hanh, Queen Duong Van Nga and Khai Minh Vuong (Le Long Dinh)… Similar to the temple of King Dinh Tien Hoang, this work also has full foreign rituals. , internal ritual, dragon yard, harem, …

Nhat Tru Pagoda

Nhat Tru Pagoda, also known as the one-pillar pagoda, was built in the 10th century. The pagoda has many ancient relics associated with a long history. From a distance, you will see a prominent stone pillar in front of the temple yard. The pagoda was built in the very unique “Ding” lettering architecture with full main hall, ancestral house, living room, dining room and tower…

In addition, Hoa Lu Ancient Capital also has many other architectural works such as Dinh Yen Trach, Ngan Pagoda, Phu Dong Vuong, Phu Kinh Thien, Dong Gate Beer,… Therefore, when you come here, you should not miss any. What places to visit?

The above information has helped you discover some features of the ancient architecture of Hoa Lu Ancient Capital. This is a land with many ancient and heroic history of the Vietnamese nation. If you come to Ninh Binh, do not miss this ideal tourist destination!